Tea Education 101-Bartenders & Mixologists

The last 4 months of 2017 were filled with extraordinary highs and devastating lows.

In this segment I will focus on one of the amazing experiences I was gifted with in 2017.

Usually around end of August, beginning of September, my tea sister, Darlene Meyers Perry (The Tea Enthusiast’s Scrapbook) and I consider options for end of year experiences.

They generally “fall into our cup” like fresh picked tealeaves into a basket.

Oct-2015:

We were given the opportunity to attend International Forum on Tea Culture, Creativity & Science (IFTCCS) in Taiwan where, as a Keynote Speaker, I covered “Sharing Tea with the American Consumer: Current Trends and Future Process” a last minute invitation that took me to origin for the very first time and I am still filled with gratitude.

Oct-2016

Another opportunity to visit origin was presented to us through Specialty Tea Institute as part of the Japanese Green Tea Study Tour –Japan. Who would have thought this gift would come our way. A ten-day immersion into all things tea, from farm, to processing to manufacture and lots of tea tasting, we traveled with an amazing group of tea specialists and guides.

This experience took my green tea knowledge up to the next level and appreciation of the leaf solidified and confirmed.

So, September 2017, with no plan in sight, I received an inquiry to my tea blending educational site, TeaBlending Sisters regarding coordinating an educational event in NYC.

After speaking at length with the Trade Marketing Director, she suggested that I conduct the four-city/state tour educating Bartenders and Mixologists on Tea101.

I immediately call my tea sister and share the news. I felt that this was the reason we had nothing on our agenda for the upcoming months.

Needless to say this was an extraordinary opportunity for us, as well as the chance to invite Masters of the craft in the respective cities to participate.

I am grateful for all the support, help and knowledge they imparted on this journey.

We began with the construct of a 27 page Tea 101 Manual and PowerPoint presentation developed specifically with bartenders and mixologists in mind.

Our program combined basic tea education/clarification along with tea tastings. I am a firm believer in order to learn about tea one must experience and taste the brew. The offerings went from hot tea to a finish with cold brews. Also included was a training on tea brewing.

It still astounds me that it is not yet common knowledge that all tea comes from one plant, camellia sinensis, but then again, I could be considered somewhat jaded by surrounding myself with tea geeks (LOL).

Participation at each event was planned at 25 per session and although the numbers fluctuated, sometimes less, sometimes more. At our last event in Miami, 42 participants attended and ended with a surprise ovation for our presentation.

If you imbibe, and have yet to try The Botanist Gin, I hear it is amazing with a very unique flavor profile that combines “22 hand-foraged local botanicals delicately augment nine berries, barks, seeds and peels during an achingly slow distillation.” and by the way mixes very well in a Matcha Cocktail.

To the participants, I hope you are continuing to utilize what you have learned and if you have any questions please feel free to contact us at

TeaBlendingSisters@gmail.com

Thanks also to the passionate, dedicated tea professionals who offered their help in making this happen.